Memphis soul stew is served at the White House
Justin Timberlake and musical legends play for the president, first lady
What: President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama host an all-star cast of R&B talent in the East Room for the latest iteration of In Performance at the White House, this time honoring Memphis soul.
Who: With Booker T. Jones at the helm as music director and band leader, the bill features Alabama Shakes, William Bell, Steve Cropper, Ben Harper, Queen Latifah, Cyndi Lauper, American Idol’s Joshua Ledet, Sam Moore, Charlie Musselwhite, Mavis Staples and, of course, Justin Timberlake.
Missing: Al Green, who was forced to skip the show when he suffered a back injury.
Before the show: At a music workshop, Michelle Obama tells students, “My husband thinks he sounds just like Al Green. Let’s just tell him that he does. He is the president.”
President Obama jokes: “I’m in my second term now, so rather than Hail to the Chief, we’re going with that ( Green Onions by Booker T. & the MG’s) from here on out. A little change in tradition.” After announcing the engagement of a couple of White House staffers, he said newly- weds Timberlake and Jessica Biel, who sat in the front row, could offer pointers. “Justin, they are looking for a wedding singer,” he joshes. “I’m just sayin’.”
Segregated: Earlier in the day, Moore remembers the difficult times he faced as a black artist in the ’60s. “We couldn’t stay, not in the white hotels. You did your show, you get paid, and then you leave.”
Soul men: In a their rousing ren- dition of Soul Man, Moore and Ledet are dueling voices who have the audience clapping and laughing.
Watching the tide roll away: Timberlake pairs with Cropper for (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay, which the Stax Records house guitarist wrote with Otis Redding.
Fashion standouts: Show host Latifah and the first lady, both clad in one-shouldered black dresses.
Also spiffy: Moore, wearing a black suit with a silver beadazzled collar and cuffs, and Ledet, sporting a snazzy red bow tie.
Rough around the edges, in a
good way: Musselwhite and Harper celebrate Charlie’s bluesy Memphis roots, with I’m In I’m Out I’m Gone, a raw counterbalance to the night’s smoother soul songs.
Tenderly: Lauper’s animated take on Try a Little Tenderness teams her with Musselwhite. She’s surprisingly conservative (well, except for the red faux hawk) in a black lace jacket.
The big finish: A free-for-all ensues, as everyone crowds the stage for the closing number, In the Midnight Hour.
Catch it on TV: PBS will air the concert April 16 (8 p.m. ET/PT, times may vary).